Ideal hardware store

[Marshwheeling]

In my part of the world, this is the definitive hardware store:
Welcome to Seven Corners Hardware

They have it all, they know their stuff, and probably know better than you how to do your project. That's if you are a contractor. If you are the guy off the street, they definitely do.

 

[shouldazagged]

In the '40's and early '50's I lived near one of the classic wood-floored hardware stores, though it didn't sell guns. Now I'm fortunate to live about a mile from one that isn't that old school but is still an honest-to-goodness hardware store. Knowledgeable employees, and lots of stuff you can't buy at Wally World or Lowe's unless you want a bubble-pack of 150 items. Want two machine bolts with washers and nuts? No problem.

But such stores are a dying breed, unable to attract a large clientele because Wal-Mart and others offer one-stop shopping for groceries and cheap, bulk-packaged Chinese hardware, mostly of lesser quality.

 

[rwsmith]

some of them.....

Guns and ammo would be nice, but seem like a bit of a stretch in this area. I the Seattle area (where I just moved from) there was only 1 small chain of family-owned hardware stores left. McClendons. There were seven stores scattered around Seattle and the surrounding
suburbs. Unfortunately they aren't in Spokane.

What I hate are the "Home improvement" stores that try to masquerade as a hardware store. Trouble is, if a chick wouldn't buy it, they don't carry it. Kind of an emasculated hardware story - to go with our emasculated society....

Some of them have a neat tool section where men are allowed to take refuge.


What would be my favorite? In the Dilbert cartoon he could not drive by a hardware store that didn't try to suck him in and usually sucked his clothes off. THAT'S my idea of a good hardware store.

 

[BC38]

...lots of stuff you can't buy at Wally World or Lowe's unless you want a bubble-pack of 150 items. Want two machine bolts with washers and nuts? No problem.

THAT is one of the best things about McClendons. They have 3 or 4 AISLES of individual fasteners in shelf after shelf (4"-8" high shelves about 10 shelves high) of plastic bins. Grade 8? No problem. Grade 5? Lots to choose from. They even stock a pretty good supply of metric fasteners.

Same with plumbing - but with only 8 levels of shelves cause the pieces are bigger. Black iron, galvanized, copper brass, PVC, ABS, they stock it all.

I only hope that I can find someplace with that good of a selection here. The ACE down the street has more than Home Creapo or Slowes - but still nothing like McClendons.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

There used to be a good hardware in town, but as the owners got old and none of the descendants wanted to run the store they sold it to the employee's retirement fund. That was the kiss of death! The employees wear name badges that say "Owner" instead of a department, and know almost nothing about anything. I have to drive about 30 miles to a "Perfect hardware store", past multiple home stores. It is missing the 1930's building (it became the warehouse) as they built a new 'showroom" in 1955, The current owner, served in the Korean war, The founder in WWI. The manager is a daughter, and her husband, and twin sons are there every day (if the boys don't have a class). An employee once told me a tool part wasn't made! I told him Lowe's carried them but was out of stock, he said that was too bad. He was let go at the end of the week. I had noticed the power tool department getting a little weak, being run by foresaid jerk, next new department head, 2 weeks later department infused with a 4th line of power tools, and every dodad you could think, dream, or hallucinate about. The manager of the tool area before the jerk was a Son-in-law, but left to be a golf pro. There only draw back is they don't have buying connections beyond being an Ace hardware. But I have seen salesmen come in with some small time production newly invented contraption. The owner would buy $50 or $100 worth of anything he thought would sell. Ivan

 

[sureshotbob]

My small town of Terryville, Ct. has a place called Lee's hardware it has the old squeeky wooden floors and very narrow isles and is packed with stuff you can't find at the box stores. The owner is a nice guy and knows just about everyone by name. It might cost a few cents more than the box store but he normaly will have what you need. We had another one a True Value store that was about the same as Lee but last year the owner retired and closed .

 

[williamlayton]

HUMMMMM ! Let's see here. What does the average urbanite need. The average urbanite is still a do it myownself kinda guy--unless it involves major plumbing, electrical or structural technicalities.
We need wire, glue, wood, appliance and plumbing fittings.
Local is good---many of us are family folks and don't have trucks either. I know that I didn't for many years.
We do like to make quick trips for these items.
I like to shop locally, even in this huge Metroplex called Houston.
I understand the question but I think most of this is nostalgia. I don't go in to breath the air or get sentimental.
My truck these days is a Ford GT Mustang---you would be amazed at the wood I can carry in that thing--but it is small loads and local is Good--very Good--it also keeps the cops from following me down a freeway.
The box stores are good--I like them and they have everything I need.
Still, I am lucky that there are easy and quick hardware stores locally--I mean just a few blocks away.
Now, I don't buid mechanical things--just butcher wood---you know-- measure twice and beat it into place.
Blessings

 

[kozmic]

A bell on the door that jingles when you walk in. Next door to the ice cream parlor and across from the movie theater and library. And absolutely must be able to fix your bike while you wait.

 

[Old Corp]

All the neat old hardware stores that used to be in my area have disappeared. Replaced by big box 'home improvement' stores. And most of the employees in the big box stores are apartment dwellers and have never moved a shovelful of dirt or driven a nail.

 

[old bear]

How about open for over 150 years?

Placerville Hardware Store, Inc. - Fausel Ranch (Weddings, Cherries, & Peaches), Placerville Hardware Memorabilia, Gold Panning Supplies

They have everything and someone who knows where they keep it.

I hope they are still open, I love that place. Haven't been there in years, but "if they don't have it, you really don't need it."

 

[Brian41]

We still have some here but the one in town updated a bit and has become an ACE hardware now too. It's kind of a marriage between old and new and still has helpful clerks that are old indeed.
Last week I needed a bolt and square nut for one that broke on my fireplace insert, a regular nut wouldn't do. Of course they had a selection of square bolts and I got out of there for under a buck as I bought a spare too. They've always helped me out of a jam when I needed it. I hate the big box chains and go there as little as possible but they've put the old lumber yards out of business and have no choice sometimes.

 

[sheepdawg]

They must have a barrel of old Mausers, Carcanos, Mosins and Enfields starting at $39.99.

 

[kb5601]

Back when I had my own plumbing business, I went to an old hardware store in West Point, Va., looking for a drop cord.
An elderly Gentleman asked how long I wanted it... I told him I planned on keeping it.
I don't think he saw the real humor in that...
Stores closed now...
KB

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Ideal Hardware store

Is the one that has exactly what I want .

 

[Len]

Along with all the other stuff mentioned, I'm reminded of my favorite hardware store.

Besides helpful, knowledgeable staff and a good selection of "stuff," out back they had a pickup truck height loading dock.

Can't tell you how many times I used that to load feed, offload mowers and generators for repair, or dolly bulk items into the truck.

It was a perfect place to sit, light up a cig, and shoot the breeze for a couple of minutes with "Fritz" the owner after the chores were done. He always, always had coffee available for you.

This wasn't a long time ago, but it was when you knew who owned and ran the businesses in your town.

Len

 

[Comrad]

A place where you can buy one screw or one nut for 12 cents and the guy at the counter puts it in a little brown paper bag. And that fine piece of fastening hardware was made in America.
Should be a few cats roaming around too.
And they cut glass in the basement for window repair.

 

[NYlakesider]

When I was in my teens (early 1960s) I worked at a well stocked urban hardware store. The owner could do/fix just about anything. He would help you get parts, knew what tools you needed and basically had a good inventory of things available.

The town I now live in has a hardware store that is quite packed with just about anything hardware/ tool related you will need or think you need. They have been there over a hundred years. A bunch of older guys work there and they are very knowledgeable. If you d not see it or cannot find it they will. They have 2 big garages behind the business, a large basement and attic which are not normally accessible to most customers. I have been back there and WOW what an inventory of miscellaneous everything.

Contrast that to the big boxes of today, most only peddle what moves fast.(Got to keep the inventory moving) Its rather frustrating to go to a big box ask some question and then get a deer in the beam kind of look. Then they grab a box and read some gibberish off the carton that has absolutely nothing to do with what you ask. I find most time I know more about the products they sell than they do and how to install them.

Needless to say I prefer dealing at that old time store than the mega places. Of course the megas sell many large items like wood, sheetrock and building supplies and large items a normal hardware store does not.

 

[Slowhanddd]

Guess I'm the lucky one?the Lowes by me has three people in the departments that I shop in most.Hardware,plumbing and electrical.All have had there own business and know what and can tell you how to do it.My smaller store not so much.

 

[tomf52]

NY Lakesider - You wouldn't be referring to the hardware store in Broadalbin, would you?

 

[NYlakesider]

NY Lakesider - You wouldn't be referring to the hardware store in Broadalbin, would you?

Negative, the one in Northville! I never been in the one in Broadalbin. (perhaps I should check it out!)